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From page 1... ... While the number of chemical terrorism incidents has risen and fallen over time, there is no empirical or analytical indication that the threat is disappearing, especially with several incidents within the past three decades of terrorists using or pursuing nerve agents or chemical agents. Factors that could potentially increase this threat include the large and growing number of chemicals that could be used in chemical weapons, perceived changes in the tactical and/or strategic benefits of using them compared to other types of weapons, emerging technologies, and a rise in foreign or domestic terrorism. Read the entire page →
From page 2... ... STUDY TASK, SCOPE, AND METHOD Given the breadth of the study's task, the committee took a high-level view and focused on identifying the most important technical, policy, and resource gaps with respect to strategies for identifying, preventing, countering, and responding to chemical threats, and budgeting to address these needs. While acknowledging the potential rise of terrorist threats from state actors over the past decade, the report focuses on chemical threats originating from nonstate actors with or without state involvement (e.g., knowledge or the capability to share and other forms of support to enable chemical terrorism) Read the entire page →
From page 3... ... . ASSESSING STRATEGIES FOR IDENTIFYING CHEMICAL THREATS The total number of chemicals that constitute or could constitute WMD terrorism threats is vast and continually expanding. Read the entire page →
From page 4... ... , partner law enforcement, and IC have been effective in identifying and interdicting the majority of domestic terrorist attacks involving chemical materials, which have typically employed conventional TICS rather than traditional chemical warfare agents. While the FBI has been effective, approaches to identifying chemical threats could be strengthened by using a multi-lens approach from several different agencies that emphasizes augmented communication and coordination between local and state enforcement and the IC. Read the entire page →
From page 5... ... The committee surveyed the strategy documents listed in chapter 5, all of which contained useful information related to aspects of preventing and countering chemical terrorism. A successful strategy to prevent or counter chemical terrorism focuses on the following elements: • Incorporates developments in the "Identify" area into practice for "Prevent and Counter." • Dissuades terrorists through deterrence by denial, deterrence by punishment, or through normative means. Read the entire page →
From page 6... ... Strategies addressing nonstate actors appear to be focused predominantly on other forms of deterrence, which could involve threatening to punish potential states, nonstate institutions, and even individuals who might support terrorists acquiring WMD (including chemical weapons) Read the entire page →
From page 7... ... Addressing Insider Threats In certain sectors -- often related to the materials consumed or produced therein -- the threat lies not only in the theft of information and the disruption of an organization's functions, but also in the possibility that sabotage by insiders could have extremely detrimental consequences for broader public health and safety. The accidental release of more than 40 tons of highly toxic methyl isocyanate from the Union Carbide insecticide plant in Bhopal, India in 1984 is an example of the scale of harm that could result from an accident occurring at a chemical facility (Broughton, 2005, Eckerman, 2005) Read the entire page →
From page 8... ... Other Prevent and Counter Activities Some activities the USG is undertaking are not mentioned in the strategy documents reviewed, including: military capabilities to provide early warning of chemical terrorism plots; law enforcement capabilities to counter chemical threats tactically; integration with broader counterterrorism and counter-smuggling efforts; and involvement with other multilateral activities beyond the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Read the entire page →
From page 9... ... CISA released the Aviation Safety Communique (SAFECOM) Nationwide Survey to collect data from organizations that use technology for public safety, including emergency communication centers, emergency management, law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, and fire and rescue professionals. Read the entire page →
From page 10... ... Enhancing Interagency Coordination Coordination among the different organizations can be improved to ensure first responders receive the needed information. With respect to addressing chemical attacks specifically, FEMA's WMD Strategic Group Consequence Management Coordination Unit coordinates with other parts of FEMA through its Chemical Biological Radiation and Nuclear (CBRN) Read the entire page →
From page 11... ... : DHS should develop strategies, including an updated chemical defense strategy that consider the implications of the strategic shift to great power competition, including potential resourcing shifts, on reducing the risk of chemical threats and chemical terrorism. DoD Strategies The shift to GPC also impacts the DoD, though differently than the domestically focused DHS. Read the entire page →
From page 12... ... Threat-Agnostic Approaches to Medical Countermeasures If resources for counterterrorism decrease due to the shift towards GPC, then a burden will be placed on existing programs to use their resources more efficiently in countering chemical threats. Despite the potential loss of focus on chemical terrorism, Read the entire page →
From page 13... ... , BARDA, and CISA, to all areas of the CWMDT enterprise to maximize the United States' government capacity for appropriate response on time scales of relevance. BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS The committee heard from several briefers that budgets are inadequate to address the breadth of possible chemical threats, even for agencies for which WMD is the highest priority. Read the entire page →
From page 14... ... Fund initiatives that work with international Strengthens alliance and builds stronger partners to enhance chemical security, communication networks among relevant international identify, prevent/counter, and respond to agencies. chemical threats worldwide. Read the entire page →
From page 15... ... 2002. National Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction. Read the entire page →

From page 1...

... While the number of chemical terrorism incidents has risen and fallen over time, there is no empirical or analytical indication that the threat is disappearing, especially with several incidents within the past three decades of terrorists using or pursuing nerve agents or chemical agents. Factors that could potentially increase this threat include the large and growing number of chemicals that could be used in chemical weapons, perceived changes in the tactical and/or strategic benefits of using them compared to other types of weapons, emerging technologies, and a rise in foreign or domestic terrorism.

Summary Pages 1-16

Summary
Pages 1-16